Pacific NW procar tour

Few areas of the country I have not yet hunted. Just finished up almost 2 weeks in the Pacific NW after wanting to do this trip for several years. Knocked 3 more states off my list while traversing 2000 miles between them tracking vintage procars long off the radar.

Sorting 1400+ images will require a few days. Saw some really rare pieces, regardless of condition. Managed to buy a couple coaches and two truckloads of parts along the way to pack in them. As usual, no geotagging and no public disclosures. Few of the places stopped at are rigidly private. Took considerable time and effort receiving invitations to visit properties. One of them in fact finally came through 6 hours before return plane departed and it was 2 hours away from airport!

Even stopped in Bellevue and shot a Lincoln.

'68 Superior Landaulet endloader. Note odd '69-'70 landau irons. Hmm.



Bought a few parts off this Superior pair. Second one still has nice black bucket seats, which I left.




Oh la la! One of coach highlights. '40 Meteor LaSalle Gothic Carved funeral car. 100% original. Last saw daylight in '73.



Nary a pinhole of rust on sheetmetal or frame. That black lacquer has plenty of life left.



Couple pieces of interior wood trim had warped/cracked over time. Overall very impressive carved survivor.



69,704 original miles. 25 years ago owner had a wild hair and removed front clip to service engine - which is precisely how she still sits today.



Crammed in adjacent was this (large) '20s Packard coupe.



Remember the rear ambulance door that was on CL earlier this month? Here's the reward for asking about the rest of the rig.



Main reason for trip was to lay eyes on my '57 Rescuer for first time. Here she is as-found.



Many more images in upcoming couple days as time allows.

Nice LaSalle. There is one not far from me that is in slightly worse shape. It was in a small fire, but pretty much just the paint was damaged. The same guy has about 14 pro cars. I got to see them about 10 years ago and it was quite a treat.

I recognize the blue Superior ambulance at All American Classics. Like to see some pics of the Bellevue Lincoln!

Community Ambulance

I live near where Community Ambulance used to be on Macadam in Portland. I have a video of a fairly nice matching blue ambulance that they were selling back in the 90s. Wonder what happened to them and the car...

Thanks for posting the pictures Atti.

I saw the '57 Rescuer last year and cleared some of the brush around it to get some shots. The owner was asking a pretty large sum for it then and I'm sure it wasn't in any better shape now. Probably still has the back full of stuff? The owner is quite an interesting fellow for sure!

Can't wait to see what else you came across.

I shot this photo at a So. Cal. PCS chapter meet back in the 90's. It was a '74 Superior 51" from Community Ambulance with rectangular headlights grafted onto it from a '75-'76 model. At the time, I was told that this was one of a pair "out there", so what Attila tracked down may very well be all that is left of this car.

Bill Leverett said:

I saw the '57 Rescuer last year and cleared some of the brush around it to get some shots. The owner was asking a pretty large sum for it then and I'm sure it wasn't in any better shape now. Probably still has the back full of stuff? The owner is quite an interesting fellow for sure!

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Agreed. I've wanted this rig since first learning of it in spring of '09 (although it seems longer now). '57 + Superior = smack dab in the middle of my roundhouse. Only within the last two years has owner been receptive to really letting it go. I took the plunge in May.

Rear compartment was still full and has been cleaned out since. Love this etched glass design although irking that windows don't line up. Same C pillar stagger on both sides.

Terry Lange said:

I shot this photo at a So. Cal. PCS chapter meet back in the 90's. It was a '74 Superior 51" from Community Ambulance with rectangular headlights grafted onto it from a '75-'76 model. At the time, I was told that this was one of a pair "out there", so what Attila tracked down may very well be all that is left of this car.

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Thanks for photo Terry. Without close enough inspection (and with missing parts already), very easy to miss year. They're listed as '75 and '76. I had no reason to think otherwise. '70s are not my forte.

Roof vent is now going to GA to replace one lost on '75 Superior Pontiac high top that blew off on highway. Rear tunnels (x4) went to VA.

Rick Franklin said:

I recognize the blue Superior ambulance at All American Classics.

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Over a decade these two have sat bumper to bumper. How a "procar guy" recognize one and not the other (or realize two are pictured for that matter) is beyond me~

So who else has taken a ferry foraging procars?



The MM rear loading door on CL...



...yielded the better part of a '60 Futura low top ambulance that is shown in first post. Having sat in a desert for 40+ years, I had hoped it was going to be salvageable. No front clip, no drivetrain, no front suspension, no rear axle, no windshield, no wheels (obviously), no dash, no front seat, and no jump seats negated being a builder however - even though remaining metal was in decent shape. Simply wasn't enough left to warrant (or facilitate) cross country shipping.

I did however completely strip carcass: all 4 Saf-T-Vu lights, rear 3 pieces of glass, nice steering wheel, other 4 doors (2 have exterior sideswipe damage yet all are rot free), impossible to find thin '59-'60 MM molding set that separates colors on ambulance, all the rest of the inner & outer moldings, complete inner & outer windshield trim set, complete rear bumper, etc.

Bare hulk was then hauled to scrapper last week.



Off into the desert I went. Nestled down between hills, completely hidden from even the nearest passing road these views awaited.



Did you spot this '36 Henney Olds in panorama? Solid coach. Going to take a dedicated effort resurrecting however. And it is not cheap to start with. (For most part, pricing here was 70-80% what one would expect on eBay. Less than retail but not enough to consider really good deals.) Digging it out shouldn't take more than a full day, so not too bad accessing.




Thousands of cars. 9" annual rainfall total. Great area of country to buy from. If something has rot - it had rot before arriving. Pretty much the way it works. Sediment is soft enough that moisture is whisked away.



Say what's that long roof? '56 Chrysler Windsor based airport limo. Can honestly say I've not seen another '56 Chrysler airport limo in person.



Too neat! Last used for Mission Ridge Racing Team as a support vehicle. Do hope this one finds a loving Mopar-freak home as it is eminently restorable. Inadvertently neglected asking price.

The second photo of the blue "Community Ambulance" is definitely a '75/'76. The condition of the rear sheet metal on the first one almost made me weep!

Terry Lange said:

I shot this photo at a So. Cal. PCS chapter meet back in the 90's. It was a '74 Superior 51" from Community Ambulance with rectangular headlights grafted onto it from a '75-'76 model. At the time, I was told that this was one of a pair "out there", so what Attila tracked down may very well be all that is left of this car.

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I believe this car is still alive and well. I replaced the right side quarter panel and door on it about ten years ago after it suffered accident damage. Atti's pics must be the "other" cars.

Attila,

LOVE that '56 Chrysler 8 door airport limo!! So, when is the '57 Superior coming home?

Atti;; my error in typing. Ive been to All American Classics and knew that there were 2 cars. Lots of neat stuff you found. The one time owner of Ballard Ambulance used to be either a State Senator or House of Representative in our state government. I have to admire your abilities in finding these treasures.

Kurt Arends said:

So, when is the '57 Superior coming home?

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There are several cars already needing transport with a couple more deals working. Undecided at moment, as most economical route will be leasing an automotive rail car. Adding another 2-3 coaches this route becomes most feasible. I have transport to a staging area and storage taken care of in the interim.

Still in the desert. There were at least two '56 Series 75s amidst these thousands.



Am mixing in some non-procars for various reasons. I've only seen one '58 Buick Limited 'in the rough' before. (The other was found in Alaska, transported to CO, then left for Sweden.) Guess this chromasaurus would have been a viable alternative to a '58 Series 60 Fleetwood. I liked the '60 CDV next to it as well for being rot free.



Talk about obscure...shame this Chrysler Airflow airport limo is nothing more than a bare body shell. Can't even find a picture online of another at all. Likely only surviving example.





'51 Miller military ambulance had been converted for farm use long ago. Walked by a couple times before noticing it.



There was also an early '50s Henney Junior on this property. Failed to locate it before sun went down.

Pegasus Auto Recycling in Hayden, ID has this '47 lofted high. Think it is a Superior (by default, definitely not Miller nor Meteor and possibly Eureka although lines don't look like right). Was not able to inspect closer/interior. Looks like a decent restorable coach that may be a 3-way. Note lack of partition. No engine, can't recall what they stated about having title, and has a realistic price of $1600 attached. Call them at 208.772.3791. No, they will not sell parts off.





Pegasus also had this...uh...'80s whatever. Amount of attention paid? Zero!

Spotted this in a field from a secondary highway and doubled back. '65 Superior Pontiac Landaulet endloader. Had been recently pulled out of hibernation to prep as a haunt prop. 'Tis the season sadly. Not a bad restorable coach that appears complete. No word on possible availability after Halloween but I did grab contact info.

If nothing else, Adam will drool.






Coming across rot free old tin like this CDV never grows old. Digging the creamsicle two-tone even if not original paint.



Christin has been restoring this '58 Superior Landaulet combination. All new floors have been welded in, rockers replaced, 1/3 of rear loading door fabricated, and 4 side doors fixed. Cristin picked a couple nice '58 fenders up from Dan at Big Fins reasonably too, better than fixing originals. I happened to catch coach being driven into garage to rehang doors.



Heading deep into a holler now. Cadillac heavy property, owner acquired 15 more just within last two months too. Good parts source for our coaches with fair pricing.



'59 Series 75 informal limo should be heading to a PCS member. If that person doesn't end up with it, she'll head to Australia. Reasonably priced and a decent score.




Same guy has this pretty amazing original '47 convertible. (Well, other than '53 wire wheels.) Very little rust, freshly pulled from a barn along with other package recently purchased, needing restoration - sold for $14k and is awaiting transport to Italy.

Glad you were able to get the '57 plus a few others. Even getting a glimpse of the fellow's large stash requires an introduction by someone the owner trusts.

When I visited I only had a few hours so he showed me some of his prizes and the ones I was interested in. Pricing indicated that he really didn't want to sell at that point but he did invite me back when it wasn't 100 in the shade and the snakes were sleeping.

He's had a real problem with folks sneaking onto his property and stealing items so he's cautious in letting folks even know his location...an escort is always required.

Keep the pictures coming!

Atti,
A huge thanks on behalf of those of us who can no longer navigate these types of yards. Hard to believe that they still exist like they are. Used to be a lot of them here back in the 60's. Pic-a-Parts yards just don't cut it. Just seeing the pics of both pro and nonpro cars really takes me back. Can't thank you enough for your time, effort, work and, of course, the pics and descriptions.
Joe

Attila Bethlenfalvy said:

Pegasus also had this...uh...'80s whatever. Amount of attention paid? Zero!

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It's a raised roof AG Solar conversion on an Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser. And I loved mine!

PS Thanks for the photos and trip highlights. Anyone can help preserve these cars, but hunting them down and digging them up so they can be preserved is something special!

Attila,
I didn't realize that an (original)Airflow stretch limousine even existed!! That would have to be a sought after project, even in its current condition!

The '58 Buick in your photo is a Roadmaster, which was a step down from the Limited in '58. The Limited was the top of the line in '58. The Limited became the Electra 225 in 1959. The Roadmaster became the Electra in 1959. I owned a '58 Limited which also shipped to Sweden.

Thank you very much for your photo documentation of all of your trips!! It is the sharing of our individual experiences through photos that keeps me so hooked on this site!


QUOTE=Attila Bethlenfalvy;112115]There are several cars already needing transport with a couple more deals working. Undecided at moment, as most economical route will be leasing an automotive rail car. Adding another 2-3 coaches this route becomes most feasible. I have transport to a staging area and storage taken care of in the interim.

Still in the desert. There were at least two '56 Series 75s amidst these thousands.



Am mixing in some non-procars for various reasons. I've only seen one '58 Buick Limited 'in the rough' before. (The other was found in Alaska, transported to CO, then left for Sweden.) Guess this chromasaurus would have been a viable alternative to a '58 Series 60 Fleetwood. I liked the '60 CDV next to it as well for being rot free.



Talk about obscure...shame this Chrysler Airflow airport limo is nothing more than a bare body shell. Can't even find a picture online of another at all. Likely only surviving example.





'51 Miller military ambulance had been converted for farm use long ago. Walked by a couple times before noticing it.



There was also an early '50s Henney Junior on this property. Failed to locate it before sun went down.

Pegasus Auto Recycling in Hayden, ID has this '47 lofted high. Think it is a Superior (by default, definitely not Miller nor Meteor and possibly Eureka although lines don't look like right). Was not able to inspect closer/interior. Looks like a decent restorable coach that may be a 3-way. Note lack of partition. No engine, can't recall what they stated about having title, and has a realistic price of $1600 attached. Call them at 208.772.3791. No, they will not sell parts off.





Pegasus also had this...uh...'80s whatever. Amount of attention paid? Zero!

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Joe - Had wanted to make it far enough south to check out that National landau for you. Ended up being too far out of the way this trip unfortunately. Couldn't make it fit itinerary.

Appreciate the correction Kurt. It had already been pointed out to me after posting. There simply wasn't enough time to take notes (or pics for that matter) of everything, although admittedly I should have recognized it was not a Limited as told. Here's the other I mentioned en route to docks.



Another correction - the green Cadillac convertible is a '48 and not a '47. Although I stated '48 to owner and he said '47 I should have known better. Here's another '48 convertible found on trip at a different location that could be had for a few grand less.



Back into the holler where we left off>>>>>

'64 Series 75 limo. Forgot to check if formal.



The amount of unrestored '58 Series 60 Special Fleetwoods I've come across over the years is in double digits. This one is a super solid builder, better than most, yet has been relegated to parts car. Neither missing glass nor engine should really factor in to being a parts car as those items aren't difficult to replace. With exception of two small Fleetwood specific stainless pieces that had been sold, the rest were inside car. Lack of factory air must have been deciding factor in becoming a parts car. Another head scratcher. Such a magnificent car - both in design and rarity over '57 version.



Very much enjoy seeing rows like this. Cadillac out the wazoo - quite different than even a standard vintage yard. Several early '50s Fleetwoods too. These are the types of off the beaten path places to support when looking for parts.

Managed to buy several good components (large & small) and spend half a day poking around. Wasn't easy differentiating 'need' and 'want' parts let me tell 'ya...




Same could said about this '60 DeVille flattop. Really really really like this car even though it is a poor repaint (originally turquoise). Laser straight, not a single pinhole, with a usable turquoise interior. Was able to turn engine by hand. Replacing a couple pieces of flat glass on $2500 price with clear title seems like a genuine deal. Had I lived within a 3 state radius, able to retrieve myself, I would have bought it.

A must stop was SMS Auto Fabrics in Canby. $95/yard seems like an outrageous price for upholstery and I wanted to visit their operation - especially considering a coach could take 14-15 yards of material.

Decent size commercial building where products are made in house. Learned that silver thread is not cheap and jacks price up. Went in wanting Chrysler New Yorker snowflake and ended up finding another Cadillac fabric that is even a better fit for the Crown. Their Cadillac section is supreme and sample swatches are free! I became lost in a '50s Eldorado section with eyes glazed over...

There were 3 walls covered like this broken down by manufacturer, then year. Some incredible solid color brocades throughout. Strongly suggest a visit and grabbing a few dozen samples. Doubtful there is an upholstery SMS does not make and yes they do custom runs (although I've heard second hand that doing so can take a year).



Delving down into cell-proof heart of Idaho stopped to snap this Buick woodie. Owner was a friendly chap who said a professional photographer had same idea last year and put it in a calendar.



Another quick stop for this rig that was used into the early '80s. Neat that it was short wheelbase.



60+ acre property being driven to allegedly had two derelict carved coaches and a prewar flower car. Desolate enough picturesque area where only jobs were logging or mining. There was no cell reception almost an hour heading in and 90 minutes opposite direction on way out.



Turns out there was a carved coach that sold last year. Other funeral car on property was this (second, referring back to desert) very rough '36 Henney Olds. Pity. Somewhat surprisingly, this unit was actually sold as well and merely hadn't been picked up yet.




About 150 vehicles were scattered about. Among them a handful more complete '49-'53 Fleetwoods. Heavy on '30s Dodge. There were THREE Dodge humpbacks too - two panel vans (like Hemmings Motor News uses) and one sedan delivery. Rare stuff. Two of them were restorable. Nice original '55 Pontiac 2D Chieftan, decent restorable '59 & '60 Mercury convertibles, '61 Bonneville convertible, several '50s Morris Minor trucks & Travelers, mining trains and passenger cars, roadster bodies tucked in basements and rafters... There were definitely interesting pieces and views. Person who showed us around relayed that his father and grandfather were the ones responsible for sticking items about. Check out this Spartan bus. Interior was in nice shape.



Unfinished house was constructed before owner realized he didn't like angle. A wartime Dodge Power Wagon's winch turned house 90 degrees. Would have liked to have been there for that bit of country engineering!



Of course the one item I wanted they couldn't sell. Owner was uncertain where it came from and thought maybe a neighbor accidentally left it on his property. Figures. No definitive answer after an hour of running back and forth between properties either. Maybe it'll still happen.

Attila Bethlenfalvy said:

Pegasus Auto Recycling in Hayden, ID has this '47 lofted high. Think it is a Superior (by default, definitely not Miller nor Meteor and possibly Eureka although lines don't look like right). Was not able to inspect closer/interior.

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She's a Superior.